Longtime friend Bobby Roberson passes away

The Oklahoma Christian University community mourns the passing of a dear friend, Bobby Roberson.

Bobby passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 25 at the age of 81. His funeral service will take place this Friday, Sept. 28 at 2 p.m. in OC’s Scott Chapel.

Bobby and his wife of 21 years, OC Life Trustee Millie Prince Roberson, are longtime supporters of Oklahoma Christian. Bobby would fondly recall attending the 1958 ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring Pat Boone after the school moved from Bartlesville to Oklahoma City.

“We give to Oklahoma Christian because we have so many great friends there," Bobby once said.

Bobby participated on various OC boards and supported Oklahoma Christian in many ways, including a perpetual endowment that will provide scholarships for OC students for generations to come.

Likewise, Millie has supported Oklahoma Christian for decades. Many young engineers have taken their first steps into thermodynamics and systems design within the halls of the Prince Engineering Center, one of OC’s finest academic venues. The PEC, made possible through Millie's generosity, is named in honor of Millie and her late husband, Darryll Prince.

Both Bobby and Millie lost their first spouses early in life, but found a common love for business and a passion for service.

In 2005, Oklahoma Christian presented Bobby with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree for his leadership in business and in the community.

His homegrown company, originally known as Southwest Typewriter Company, began in his one-car garage in 1956 with a $50 loan from his mother. His business grew into a multimillion-dollar conglomerate, ImageNet America, and is now run by his children and grandchildren.

A U.S. Marine and a veteran of the Korean War, Bobby was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ and served as a teacher, deacon and elder.

He is survived by Millie, two children, six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

“Bobby was a great man. He loved his family, he loved his God, and he loved making a difference for others. He will be missed greatly,” OC president John deSteiguer said.